What’s about a phytogenic solution to prevent post weaning diarrhea?

Dear Delacon Team,

Yesterday I read in the newspaper that more and more countries are going to ban antibiotics like Colistin for therapeutic use in livestock production. Moreover, the EU is planning to ban the use of Zink-oxide in 2022. However, every 4th of my piglet dies of post weaning diarrhea (PWD) if I do not treat them with appropriate medications. With the ban of ZnO and Colistin I have no idea how to treat post-weaning diseases. PWD reduces my revenue significantly. Maybe, the right approach to prevent PWD is by strengthening the intestine? That’s why I’m addressing you. Do you have a natural solution to prevent the onset of PWD?

Kind regards, Eric

Dear Eric,Not only your farm is affected by post weaning diarrhea.

Its assumed that in Europe 15-23% of all piglets are affected by PWD causing considerable losses in turnover of piglet producers. As you have already recognized, alternative approaches like plant-based phytogenic additives help to overcome post-weaning challenges.

In Europe, every 4th piglet is estimated to be affected by PWD

The weaning process: the most stressful period in piglets early life

Throughout the weaning process, piglets are exposed to high stress conditions: it is separated from its mother and put into a new environment with piglets from other litters. Moreover, the diet changes from highly digestible sow milk, to solid, less digestible feed. Thus, the feed intake and daily weight gain decreases.

The intestine and especially the gut microflora are not yet matured. Thus, bacteria from the barn environment can easily penetrate the intestinal mucous membrane. Particularly enterotoxigenic E. coli, better known as ETEC, are the triggers of PWD. Thereby, a single E. coli cannot provoke the outbreak of the disease: However, if the bacterial population in the intestine increases, the communication between the several bacteria intensifies. But what does this “communication”, called quorum sensing, look like? Some types of bacteria produce signal molecules which diffuse into adjacent bacterial cells of the same strain -if the density of signal molecules and bacteria reaches a certain threshold. In the bacterial cell, those signal molecules induce the expression of specific genes. In ETEC for example, specific pathogenic factors are produced: attachment factors and toxins. These attachment factors allow ETEC to stick to piglets’ intestinal cells. The produced enterotoxins lead to discharge of electrolytes, resulting in massive water loss into the intestinal lumen. Diarrhea outbreak in the piglet starts and the animals literally “dry out”. Mortality in untreated piglets increases rapidly.

Since the piglet’s immune system is not fully matured at this time, it needs additional support to protect itself against pathogenic bacteria, like ETEC. Especially the post-weaning period is a critical phase for the later development of the piglet. The appearance of PWD or even a reduction in food intake after weaning, leads to decreased performance of the piglet and thus the farmer’s sales declines – not only due to rising medication costs. Thus, aneffective prevention strategy is indicated. In particular, the wide spectrum of physiological modes of action of plant-based phytogenic feed additives offers a unique protection against losses – convince yourself:

5 ways how phytogenics support gut health in weaned piglets

Increased daily gain due to improved palatability of the feed, thus also achieving an increased body weight at the end of the weaning period

Improved nutrient digestion and nutrient uptake, due to increased activity of nutrient transporters in the intestinal lumen

Reduced pathogen adhesion and expression of virulence genes by Quorum sensing inhibition, which reduces the risk of PWD

Support of anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative processes by the increased expression of anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative enzymes or the direct scavenging of free oxygen radicals and thereby increased intestinal Integrity

Protection of intestinal mucosa by forming a thin mucilage film, which reduces the adherence of pathogenic germs and thereby supporting a balanced intestinal microflora

What does that mean for the piglets? The animal gets the best possible natural protection in this critical phase of life. Consequently, also the farmer benefits: Through an increased intestinal integrity, the piglet is perfectly prepared for post-weaning challenges, such as PWD, and thus medication costs and profit losses decrease.